Title: Use of culture care theory with Baganda women as AIDS caregivers.

POPLINE Document Number: 120110

Author(s):

MacNeil JM

Source citation:

JOURNAL OF TRANSCULTURAL NURSING, 1996 Jan-Jun;7(2):14-20.

Abstract:

In Uganda, where up to 25% of urban residents in the sexually active age group are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients are largely cared for at home by women in their traditional role as family caregivers. To investigate the meanings, patterns, and expressions of care to Baganda women as AIDS caregivers, interviews were conducted with 12 key and 25 general Baganda informants from the rural Masaka/Rakai districts and the semi-urban areas of Kampala. Access to informants was gained through mobile AIDS home care nursing teams. The data analysis, grounded in Leininger's Culture Care Theory, identified six major themes: 1) for Baganda women, culture care means responsibility, love, and comfort derived from their kinship, religious, and cultural values and reinforced by their health beliefs and those of professionals; 2) culture care means survival to help secure a future for the next generation and is reinforced by education and land claims; 3) culture care means continuing on in the face of adversity and burden; 4) AIDS-related morbidity and mortality have created major changes in traditional gender roles; 5) culture care diminishes the void left by the death of a family member from AIDS; and 6) culture care means making the most of life for HIV-positive women. These findings can be used by health workers to provide culturally congruent nursing care to Baganda families affected by AIDS and to facilitate intergenerational care.

Keywords:

Uganda
Qualitative Evaluation
AIDS
HIV Infections
Family and Household
Female Role
Culture
Developing Countries
Africa, Eastern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Evaluation
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Social Behavior
Behavior